'Boxing Day blizzard' for parts of the Prairies: Amounts

Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 10:49 AM - The extreme cold that gripped the Prairies lately has all but drained out of the region, but there's a few shots of snow ahead for the region -- including a "Boxing Day" blizzard for southern Manitoba and northern Ontario.

First up: Above seasonal stretch

Until then, however, temperatures will still be somewhat up-and-down, according to Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.

"A much milder pattern this week with above seasonal temperatures, but then trending below seasonal for Christmas weekend," Gillham says. "Variable temperatures next week and into the New Year – generally near to below seasonal, especially west."

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In the meantime, there's still snow in the forecast. A clipper brought about 5 cm to more northerly areas overnight Monday, and a new clipper is developing for Tuesday.

For the most part, the clipper is set to mostly impact southerly areas, bringing light snow Tuesday night for southern Saskatchewan, and to southern Manitoba Wednesday.

The Boxing Day Blizzard

Looking ahead to Christmas, Gillham says there's a rising chance of a few centimetres of snow for southern Alberta, including Calgary, on Christmas Eve, with heftier amounts for areas further east on the Prairies.

"A swath of snow spreads east across the southern Prairies Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," Gillham says. "A Colorado low tracks northeast into northwestern Ontario and brings a Boxing Day blizzard to southern Manitoba. Very strong winds and heavy snow, with the potential for 30+ cm, will have a major impact ... across the eastern Prairies and east into northern Ontario."

Check back for updates as we continue to monitor the forecast.